TOKYO - Japan beat Uruguay with a comfortable 30-8 win in a Rugby World Cup warm-up on Saturday, putting an end to its four-game losing streak.
Japan's Shota Horie scores a try against Uruguay during their friendly rugby union match at Level-5 Stadium in Fukuoka on August 22, 2015
The victory came with just four weeks to go before the "Brave Blossoms" challenge two-time champions South Africa in their Rugby World Cup opener.
At Level-5 Stadium in the southwestern city of Fukuoka, Japan ended the first half with 17-8.
Hendrik Tui scored the opening try in the 10th minute, and in the 32nd minute Shota Horie extended the lead.
Two penalties from Ayumu Goromaru saw Japan boost the score early in the second half.
The two countries will have another test match on August 29 at Tokyo's Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium.
Japan have long dominated Asian rugby but they will have to ditch their emotional baggage if they are to achieve their bold target of reaching the World Cup quarter-finals.
Head coach Eddie Jones will take the Brave Blossoms to the Rugby World Cup in England next month, where Japan will tackle South Africa, Samoa, Scotland and the United States in a tough Pool B.
Japan have consistently fallen short on the big stage, their only World Cup win coming against Zimbabwe in 1991.